Lisa Messenger Interview with Denise Duffield-Thomas

Introducing Lisa Messenger

I recently had the opportunity to hop on Skype and chat with Lisa Messenger about business, entrepreneurship, money and lifestyle. Lisa is the Owner and Creative Director of The Messenger Group and has worked globally in events, sponsorship, marketing, PR and publishing. Her latest offering is the magazine Renegade Collective – and it’s AMAZING!

It’s probably the first magazine I’ve seen that celebrates real entrepreneurs. Not just the Forbes 100, high flying men, but every day entrepreneurs around the world doing amazing things. Plus, it’s beautiful and inspiring.

Lisa’s passion is to challenge individuals and corporations to change the way they think, take them out of their comfort zone and prove that there is more than one way to do anything. She encourages entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and innovation. She is now using her unique marketing talents and innovative approach with entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and people all over the globe.

Lisa is probably the most down to earth “famous” entrepreneur I’ve ever met, and I’ve heard the same from everyone who has met her.

“She’s SO NICE” everyone says, as if that’s unusual – and as Lisa admits herself, the publishing industry isn’t always the most welcoming!

She’s also a brilliant business woman and generously shares her wisdom about life, money and what to do when everyone disses your business idea.

We’ve broken up the interview into some nice chunks, so ENJOY – and don’t forget to grab a copy of Renegade Collective!

Part 1 – The Serial Entrepreneur

Where it all began and how Lisa grew into the business she has today, a business she enjoys so much she wouldn’t sell it for even $10 million.

“Fail fast. I’ve had way more businesses fail than ones that have gotten off the ground.”

Part 2 – The Fear

What scares you? How do you pull yourself out of it? The fear is always there, it’s having a way to deal with it that keeps you moving forward.

“I’m scared every single day. The difference is now I’ve learned to move through it really, really quickly.”

Part 3 – Grounded

How do you stay grounded and true to yourself when the industry you work in is not typically that way?

“We’ve actually tried to consciously stay as far away from the typical industry as possible.”

Part 4 – Dirty Money

How did you overcome your money blocks? What do you do regularly to keep that abundance mind set?

“I have to value my time. Finding that balance between wanting to help people and valuing my life and time.”

Part 5 – Splurges and Mantras

Lisa and I talk lifestyle, money, spending stuff and experiences. Plus, she shares her favorite mantra with us.

“Spending money and indulging in a lovely shared experience with a friend.”

Denise. Thank you a zillion times over for this. I look very sickly and my lighting wasn’t great but whatevs, the essence of my philosophy you have captured brilliantly. Thanks for a great interview xxx

Thank you so much for this Denise. Renegade Collective is my absolute favourite mag and seemed to serendipitously fall into my lap when I first started to hear those “You can go it alone. Maybe corporate isn’t for you.” whispers in the back of my head last year.